Employee Relations Manager

Our client is a significant player within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, deeply committed to operational excellence and maintaining a high-performance culture across its diverse business units. They are dedicated to pioneering best-in-class operating models and ensuring compliance with evolving labour legislation while fostering a purpose-led, inclusive environment for all employees. Joining them means becoming a crucial strategic partner in shaping the future of their employee relations landscape.Are you a seasoned Employee Relations expert ready to lead strategic change in a dynamic, large-scale environment? This is a unique opportunity to move beyond day-to-day management and drive the development of robust industrial relations policies and cutting-edge ER strategies aligned with a major group HR vision. You will be instrumental in assessing and integrating complex labour models (including insourcing/outsourcing strategies) to build a truly best-in-class structure. This role offers significant scope to influence decision-making, implement enabling technology for ER tracking, and act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership across multiple key operational regions. If you thrive on complex problem-solving, championing organizational culture, and translating legal requirements into practical, effective solutions, this leadership role is your next career move.Responsibilities:Develop, implement, and govern robust Industrial Relations policies and procedures, ensuring strict alignment with group strategy and current labour legislation compliance.Serve as the centre of excellence for Employee Relations, actively benchmarking and implementing leading-edge technologies and best practices to advance ER capabilities across the organization.Lead the critical assessment and strategic integration of evolving labour models (e.g., hybrid structures, insourcing/outsourcing) to architect a superior operating model for key business segments.Actively coach and consult with senior Heads and operational members on the effective deployment of the overarching ER strategy, processes, and tools.Represent the organization successfully in dispute resolution forums, including CCMA cases and Labour Court proceedings, ensuring positive and lasting outcomes.Cultivate and maintain excellent, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders (management, employees, union representatives) and external partners (legal counsel, government bodies) to drive successful project delivery.Drive the embedding of a purpose-led organizational culture through effective communication, facilitation, and consistent application of ER guidelines.Requirements:Must-Haves (Essential):Post-graduate degree in Labour Relations, HR, or an equivalent qualification.A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in Employee Relations, demonstrating proven success at operational, tactical, and strategic levels.Demonstrable track record managing mediations, conciliations, and arbitrations, with specific success documented at the CCMA/Labour Court.In-depth, sound understanding of core South African labour legislation (e.g., BCEA, LRA, EEA).Exceptional business acumen, coupled with strong creative problem-solving and decisive leadership skills, ideally within the FMCG sector.